Morning After
Her strong steady footsteps echoed against the walls of the mansion in the early hours of the morning. The skies were still dark, the nocturnal insects were still buzzing when she passed by the open patio connecting the dining hall to the private wing where the matrimonial chamber is located.
Mikasa felt her spirits were slightly elevated after the conversation that took place between the elders of Hizuru's most reputable family over very early breakfast. She believed that a sliver of hope was beginning to dawn on her horizon over the outcome of their discussion.
There was a content smile on Kiyomi Azumabito's face as the whole table turned their heads around to greet the young bride at the entrance to the dining hall. Mikasa bowed down to her elders, from Kiyomi to Lord Hosokawa and his wife, Lady Kaede, Kiyomi's second cousin.
"Good morning, Your Highness. Did you manage to sleep well?," Lord Hosokawa asked, good-naturedly, to which he was hushed by Lady Kaede in embarrassment. "My Lord, please. One does not ask a new bride about her sleep the morning after her wedding night."
Kiyomi smiled rather coyly. "Oh Kaede, you don't need to be so discreet when you're also dying to know whether the young Lord is up to our expectations or not no?" She directed her hawk-like gaze towards her youngest kin and continued without apprehension. "Lady Mikasa, did Lord Reiner perform his duties well last night?"
'Miss Kiyomi didn't waste her time in getting straight to the point, does she?,' sighed Mikasa to herself.
Both of the women turned their gazes towards her, anticipating or more like, demanding a response from her. While Lord Hosokawa continued to sip his tea and reading through a parchment of documents: public information without a doubt.
"He did." Mikasa forced a smile on her face, not wanting to be disrespectful in any way and nodded gently with downcast eyes. Her left hand tucked away several loose strands of hair slowly behind her ear, emphasizing the way her short tresses plastered against her neck and skin; flush and damp, evidence of an early bath, which sent a much hidden meaning that the elders understood very well.
Lady Kaede beamed, her hands clasped together in a prayer. "Oh may the heavens bless this beautiful couple with a prince or a princess soon! Lord Reiner is the perfect match for our Princess indeed."
Mikasa prayed to Izayami that the older women won't be able to tell that she was lying or even asking her to elaborate on the previous night. She even made sure the finger that she sliced late last evening before she fell asleep was hidden in her own fist. She could only hope the maids would not be scrutinizing the blood stain on the bed sheet this morning and could miraculously identify whether the blood was from her finger or …...somewhere else. Just thinking about that particular word made her blood rushed up to her cheeks.
Lady Kaede, the ever passionate woman and a self-proclaimed romantic at heart that she was, cooed while clutching her chest in endearment. "Ah, young love. Look at our dear child all blushed up. I mean, with a handsome, virile husband like the young Lord, I am actually surprised that you're already here and awakened."
Lord Hosokawa cleared his throat. "Kaede, please. You're making the princess uncomfortable."
"You have chosen well, Lord Hosokawa," nodded Kiyomi towards the military veteran in approval.
"I have done nothing but only attempted to show the young Lord the path that is waiting for him should he'd like to choose a peaceful future. Izanagi is the one who moved the young Lord's heart for our Princess, Lady Kiyomi."
The family matriarch's expression suddenly became shrouded with an unquestionable gloom. "I am glad that he will serve his purpose a lot sooner than what we expected. Lady Mikasa, please have a sit. There are several news we feel that you should hear without any delays."
The young heir took her place on the empty seat next to Kiyomi, nodding a small thanks as Shiori-han appeared from the direction of the kitchen with a small bowl of miso-shiro, warm rice and grilled saba. Mikasa decided to only sip on her warm jasmine tea instead. Even after more than a week in Hizuru, she still couldn't get herself used to the heavy servings the locals would serve as their first meal of the day.
Shiori-han dropped her head down and asked in a hushed whisper, "Did everything went well, milady? Was Lord Reiner a considerate husband?"
Mikasa could only muster a weak nod and confirmed in a low voice, "He was. More considerate than I thought he would be."
She was technically not lying. Reiner had been extremely considerate of their situation. They have both survived their first night together. Alive. That was an achievement in itself that she would not take too lightly.
Kiyomi continued, thus breaking the short conversation between her ward and her household matron. "Lady Mikasa, now that the celebration has been done and over with, I'm afraid this is where the real work needs to begin for the wheels of our plan to be set into immediate motion."
Her gunmetal eyes looked up from the surface of the light green clear beverage inside her porcelain cup to the older lady's face, having an impending feeling that she might be receiving another bad news from her birth land across the seas.
Kiyomi nodded, prompting Lord Hosokawa to push a parchment towards her direction on the smooth surface of the table. It was quite different from the one before, where the earlier one was plain and void of any ink, the documents in front of her carried the formal wax seal of a symbol Mikasa had only seen once in her whole lifetime.
A week earlier, to be precise.
It was the symbol of the World's Allied Nations Council. Only those who had been in direct audience with the council would identify the image of a pair of doves carrying a garland, signifying peace. The council strives to maintain unity between all the nations across the seas. It was the very same council, whose members had opposed Kiyomi's plea to open its doors to Paradis the year before and seemed very adamant in heeding the declaration of world-wide war against the secluded island by the deceased William Tybur of Marley.
"Your Highness," Lord Hosokawa began to offer a much needed explanation, "we have splendid news. The council is extremely pleased with the union between Hizuru and Marley, in particular, upon knowing the marriage between you, an Eldian from Paradis and the noble heir to Hizuru and Lord Reiner, an Eldian and a subject of Ymir from Marley, was a success and it fulfills the condition that the council has set during our initial discussion last week. They consented to the onset of a peace treaty between Marley and Paradis with Hizuru as the mediator. However, regarding the other condition, well-that is something that we can only push forward once we have had an audience with the Commanders and the Queen of Paradis for further negotiation."
Kiyomi interjected, "Lady Mikasa, we would need to set sail for Paradis before the sun rises soon to relay this news and to ensure both Jeager brothers that there is no longer a need to trigger the 'Rumbling'"
Mikasa gave a firm nod in return. They need to leave Hizuru before their guests from Marley do.
Lady Kaede's face contorted with confusion as she looked at her husband. "My Lord, what about the young Lord? Won't he be asking if Lady Mikasa is not on their ship back to Marley later?"
The wise, experienced naval leader of Hizuru exudes warmth in his response to his beloved wife through his words and through his hand as he reached out for Lady Kaede's face. "I have entrusted Takeshi with the responsibility to lead the Hizuru fleet to Marley and he will personally be Lord Reiner's official liaison. He would know what needs to be done. Have faith in our son, Kaede."
Lady Kaede nodded with relief but her eyes spoke of worry for her eldest son, Takeshi, upon knowing that for the umpteenth time she will have to see her son being sent away from his home, his own wife and his parents for duty. She knew that this time, Takeshi would have a heavier burden on his shoulders. As much as she was slightly perturbed with the arrangement, it was indeed in the blood of the Hosokawa family to be the protector of the future heir of their ruling family and to ensure the continuation of the Azumabito bloodline.
-o-O-o-
She was glad when she opened the door to her chamber and found that Reiner was still fast asleep on the bed. She had to make sure she would get herself on board the ship to Paradis soon before the sun rises in the west. She has to make haste in delivering the good news to Hange, ensuring two innocent children would be able to return back home to their families and preventing from an all-out war on Paradis.
After setting the breakfast tray Shiori-han had prepared for him on the side table, Mikasa wasted no time in changing into a plain white button up blouse with a dark blue silk overcoat and finely pressed dark grey long skirt, all while her eyes were fixated on Reiner's sleeping figure, afraid that he would be stirred awake due to her movements. She retrieved the dark crimson scarf she had stowed away and another item that she must not forget to carry with her at all times since yesterday.
The heels of her boots tapped gently against the cold tatami mat towards a simple weapons rack where the three family blades were resting, taking extra care not to elicit any form of sounds. It was obviously not because she was concerned she would disturb his slumber. It was primarily because she was not ready to have a rerun of last night's confrontation.
Or she was not ready to face the shift of her own perspective towards her new husband's predicament.
He had gone through nothing short of suffering since the day he left Paradis and Mikasa couldn't-no, wouldn't find any sort of enjoyment upon learning that fact the night before. She wouldn't wish for anyone's misery even if it was towards her own former enemy.
Her destination reached, she bowed down gently towards the three katanas as a greeting and out of respect right before reaching for the blade nestled in a black colored sheath, with a matching velvet wrapping. Mitsunari will be accompanying her in her journey back to her real home.
As soon as her body moved towards the door, her feet stopped dead in their tracks as his sleeping form began to turned slightly, the blanket moved further down, eventually unraveling his nude body as an unexpected aftermath.
It caught her by surprise.
Oh dear...
She began to doubt herself and her inability to tear her eyes away as the light from the single burning lantern highlighted the intriguing contours of his chiseled chest, the very tight outline of the firm muscle on his sculpted torso and the serene, peaceful look on his harmless yet oddly enticing face in a roguish manner...
She was well aware of the drastic change to his build from the time when he was only a young soldier in Paradis but not to this level - exposed and uncovered to her eyes. Without any intention, she had a sudden realization that his body was also smooth and devoid of any marks or scars.
Well, he is a Titan shifter after all, Mikasa. Of course his body regenerated well after every injuries he has ever received.
She remembered she didn't feel as flustered as she was during the moment when she had to move him from the settee to the bed last night.
Since when she could be from judging to appreciating in a blink of an eye?
"Milady, a dutiful wife must always be truthful and never cease to seek her husband's blessings in everything the she does. As much as you loathe him, that man is now holding the highest position in your life and you shall not disrespect him in any way."
Shiori's words lingered at the back of her mind, a resonating string of wisdom embedding itself into her subconscious. Yet as much as she struggled to force herself to adhere to that fact, she couldn't find herself succumbing to every single expectations towards her obedience ever since her return to Hizuru.
For some strange reasons, she felt strongly pulled towards the bed but she quickly shook her head instead, pushing herself back to the door.
She would like to own this moment for herself.
She wouldn't bow down to that man lying on the bed they had shared together for the very first time only the night earlier.
Not today.
Not tomorrow.
Not so soon.
Even after his unexpected breakdown, it didn't mean that she would open her mind-or arms that easily for him.
The whole world is expecting her to be a dutiful, obedient wife but Reiner should've known that it won't even be the last thing he could ask of her.
But maybe just for now, she would put her hatred on hold. They have bigger, more important priorities that take precedence over their own personal feelings after all. Mikasa might have assumed a new role, political in nature, but she had never stopped dedicating her heart to humanity.
She is still fighting for peace.
Duty might have demanded her to swear fealty to his people, though it would not rob her of her dignity nor restore her trust towards him.
With that thought, Mikasa left Reiner, who was still sound asleep on their marriage bed, with only a solemn gaze as a parting gesture instead.
She let the door shut slowly behind her with a gentle click and let out a long breath she didn't realize she was holding all this while. Her eyes closed in response as she felt a strong sense of emotion surged through her state of confusion.
"Heading somewhere, Princess?" A new voice took her by surprise. Nevertheless, she raised her gaze up until her vision landed on the last face she had ever hoped to see that early in the morning.
The Jaw Titan holder.
Behind him was Marley's only surviving female Titan shifter.
It did not escape Mikasa's perceptive gaze that these two were in an extremely close proximity to each other. Looking at them both truly reminded her of Niccolo and Sasha.
Yeah, they were definitely 'chummy' to say the least.
She pursed her lips. "You both are in the wrong wing of the mansion. The dining hall's the other side."
"We're just here to make sure that Reiner's still alive. No offense, Princess but we all know to what extent of damages an Ackerman could leave behind in their paths," said Porco, his brown eyes wary of the warrior's blade in her grasp.
She sharpened her glare against the blonde-haired young man with a military undercut. "The only blood drawn was mine but that is none of your concern, Jaw Titan."
While her remark caused the male Warrior's face to contort in bafflement, his ever silent counterpart nodded her head in understanding.
The long-haired young woman stepped forward. "I apologize for Galliard's ill-natured presumption, your Highness. He was just concern for our dear friend. He didn't mean to offend you."
Mikasa shook her head and disagreed. "None taken." She began to walk away but turned her head around again only to say, "He's still in bed, resting. He had a very challenging night, to say the least."
Then she walked away, leaving them behind with more questions and suspicions than ever.
Let everyone think what they want to. It made no difference to her.
Porco and Pieck exchanged puzzled looks with each other before they simultaneously turned their heads towards the door.
'Reiner, what's your plan now?'
-o-O-o-
Paradis Island
Eight hours later
She felt as if the whole world is consuming her in darkness as she was greeted with chaos when she observed the aftermath of the explosion at the top of the main military building in Karanes district.
She had just walked out of General Darius Zackley's office door. They were just discussing them getting approval to see Eren, who was still under lock and key.
She knew the moment Armin pointed out the fact that the three new Survey Corps recruits who walked past them in the hallway had no distinct clearance to be within the vicinity of General Zackley's office, without a doubt was very suspicious in nature. Mikasa knew that something wrong was bound to happen.
She swore the heavy feeling in her guts earlier drove her to pull Armin away from the sudden blast coming from the direction of the now-deceased General's room.
The fact that Hange pulled her and Kiyomi into an emergency meeting with the remaining higher-ups of Paradis island's military, only proved her worst fears.
Everything happened so fast - too fast for her to process and it all happened in the span of several hours after she stepped on the harbor, east of Paradis. The high-pitched shrill of the explosion's aftermath irritated her sense of hearing, for a second Mikasa genuinely felt like she received the ghostly touch by the hands of Death himself. The shivers it evoked still lingered on her skin.
As she was not garbed in her military uniform, Armin made sure that Mikasa was always next to him, concerned that she would be mistaken as a civilian instead, at least by the less brilliant and more paranoid military members. As they both stood together and watched the body of General Zackley - or what was left of him anyway, they fought back a rush of pure terror from creeping up within.
"Armin, what on earth is happening right now?"
Her blonde-haired childhood friend, whose boyish face was always good-natured with nothing short of positivity, contorted in a mix of confusion and devastation. He, who was the military's finest strategist after the passing of Commander Erwin Smith, couldn't find any words to offer as an answer.
He has no fucking idea what was happening himself.
Soon after, an emergency meeting was called between the remaining military higher-ups, namely the three main division commanders of the Military Police, Survey Corps and the Garrison Regiment. Mikasa was relieved to find Lady Kiyomi already in presence, slowly making her way to the place next to her older relative after her persistent beckoning. Mikasa nodded uncomfortably when she received very questionable glances from the other military members inside the obscure, moderate-sized room. Everyone inside that room, with the exception of the Survey Corps' Commander, was in the absolute dark about her current position on the political chessboard involving the three nations currently at odds with each other. None of them had an inkling on even the slightest amount of influence she unintentionally holds at that point in time. However, there was a pair of eyes that seemed to light up upon recognizing her presence. The glint in Jean's eyes silently bid her a wordless welcoming greet, with a touch of relief, as he settled himself straight next to Connie.
'He would have been wondering where I might have gone to after all this while' Mikasa could only send a silent response through the smallest smile she could give, without drawing anyone's attention. With the similar gloomy and solemn expression on everyone's faces, she couldn't risk raising any more unnecessary questions.
At that point in time, she could only hope that Eren is unharmed due to the sudden explosion earlier and that he was still in the detainment cell underground. As much as it pained her to know that Eren was still in captive, she would rather him be alive and untouched then injured or dead.
After ensuring that everyone important was in presence, Commander Nile Dawk of the Military Police division began the meeting without hesitation. "As we all know, as of today, Eren Jeager is now considered a fugitive after he broke out of his captivity using the power of the Warhammer Titan he has obtained from Marley."
What? How?
Mikasa gritted her teeth in sheer worry and puzzlement. She absolutely didn't miss the way Commander Nile's eyes landed on her when Eren's name was mentioned. Meanwhile, Connie didn't bother to hide the accusatory look on his face as their eyes met from across the room.
"We have strong reasons to believe that the hundred former soldiers who are now siding with Eren Jeager were the ones who help orchestrate the diversion for his escape and we believe that they are heading straight to either the location of Zeke Jeager or Queen Historia. As of now, we have both targets under tight security to avoid a potential civil war."
The main door to the meeting room was opened unexpectedly, causing all of the occupants inside the room to be on guard. When the newcomer revealed himself, Hange could be heard releasing her breath in relief.
Commander Pixis walked in calmly, hands behind his back and offered an unexpected solution. "There is no point for us to fight against our own comrades. We should surrender to the Jeager faction. What are the lives of our soldiers compared to a potential bloodbath between our Eldian brothers and sisters?"
Hange shook her head in disbelief. "Commander Pixis, are you certain that surrendering to them would be the best solution right now?"
"Do we have any other option, Commander Hange? After the ambush in Marley, the last thing we need right now is another uprising. The throne is currently vacant when the Queen is hidden somewhere, counting the days to deliver the heir to the throne and we could not afford another rebellion to happen."
"Commanders," retorted Kiyomi, "we perhaps may have another path that we could possibly consider." She nodded for one of her bodyguards to step forward, with the parchment bearing the seal of the Council of World's Allied Nations, handing them over to the direction of the three Commanders.
"Lady Mikasa was with us in Hizuru for the past eleven days and she has approached the Council of the World's Allied Nations as an heir to the Hizuru empire who was born to an Eldian father in Paradis. She has pleaded for Paradis' survival and safety. She opened up their eyes and ears and successfully convinced the Council to review our plea, when I have failed last year."
There were a choruses of What's and How's echoing across the room the moment Kiyomi revealed the well-kept political secret involving one of Paradis' most prized soldier. Even Pixis, who would always have a calm composure on his face, was taken aback with the revelation. He and the rest of the top brass were aware of Mikasa Ackerman's blood relations to the Hizuru ambassador, but not the extent of its pivotal significance to their island's international security.
Kiyomi continued offering the rest of the unexpected news. "The Council agreed to the peace treaty between Paradis and Marley that Lady Mikasa plead for with several conditions. With the Queen's absence and General Zackley's untimely demise, I believe the three main military Commanders here would be the best people for us to present this parchment with."
"Pardon me for the sudden inquiry, milady Azumabito, what makes you think that Paradis and Marley can set aside century-long differences that easily? Where does the Council even come from?" Came the question by the Garrison's veteran commander.
"The Council has been established the moment the old Eldian kingdom had fallen and King Fritz took refuge in Paradis. His actions in building a wall was an act of retaliation against all potential peace negotiations from the Council. For decades, the Council had been keeping an eye on both nations, until the day Marley began their first attack on humanity after more than a hundred years."
Kiyomi's explanation caused the other Commanders to give a wary glance towards each other, unsure of the fresh information received from the international ambassador. Even Hange was unsuccessful in concealing a look of pure surprise on her face.
"So, you're saying that the Council agreed to hold their further actions from executing Lord Tybur's war declaration and become the mediator to the first official peace treaty as long as both nations adhere to the terms set by the Council?"
"Yes, Commander Zoe. As it indirectly involves Hizuru as our government is taking the risk by offering our country's firm monopoly of the world's largest perishable trading as a collateral. As of yesterday, we have fulfilled one of the four conditions listed in the terms."
Nile and Pixis moved towards each of Hange's sides to also look at the parchment in the female Commander's hands.
"This is absurd," remarked Nile, uncertainty apparent in his voice as he digested the contents listed in the official documents. He looked at Hange, who did not move her eyes away from the sandy paper.
"You really surrendered Mikasa as Marley's prisoner of war??! That wasn't what you promised!" She only then looked up from the parchment. Disappointment evident in her eyes.
"Commander….," trailed Mikasa hesitantly, drawing everyone's attention towards the young Hizuru princess. Kiyomi nodded calmly as she offered her justification, indirectly reminding Hange of their private conversation inside her office eleven days prior. "On paper, Madam Commander, she was to be offered as a prisoner of war to the Marley government in exchange of Zeke Jeager's treason but we wouldn't be surrendering our last living heir without protecting her interest. The Marley government accepted our proposal to further establish our alliance through marriage."
Nile Dawk scoffed at Kiyomi's explanation, ridiculing the foreign ambassador's notions as he rebuked with a bitter laugh. "So, offering one of our strongest soldiers as a bride can resolve century-old acrimony?"
"You have no idea how pivotal is Lady Mikasa's position, do you, Commander?" Kiyomi looked up at Nile with a challenging glint in her eyes, oblivious to Mikasa's silent struggle.
Mikasa didn't give a damn about what the others think but she never wanted for Armin and Jean to find out like this. Especially when she realized the sheer look of surprise on her childhood friend's face and the dejected look reflected on Jean's exhausted face.
She stood up abruptly and bowed down to her older relative. "Miss Kiyomi, allow me to explain this personally to my former team."
The foreign ambassador nodded her head in approval.
Bride? Former? A million number of questions ran through Jean's mind, its wheels running wild inside his head. What is Mikasa talking about?
Hange nodded in agreement. She was very keen in obtaining any progress of their discreet plan. "Very well then. Mikasa, will you explain it to us, on our way to Niccolo's eatery?"
-o-O-o-
Niccolo was slightly taken aback but relieved when he realized the guests that dropped by his restaurant was none other than the remaining veterans of the Survey Corps. They were not only Sasha's comrades, they were her best friends and one of them loved Sasha like her own sister.
He exchanged a nod of greeting with said Mikasa Ackerman.
He pushed away an out of place feeling twisting deep down inside his guts. There was no way it would be a coincidence that on a day like this, both Sasha's family and friends would be gathered at his eatery.
He shrugged it aside and pondered on the fact that the passing of the only girl he had ever loved had brought people together. Her memories would live on through the people's heart that she had touched with her beautiful soul.
"Commander, to what do I owe the pleasure of your unit's visit today?," greeted Niccolo as Hange dismounted her horse, right in front of the building's back entrance.
"Niccolo," acknowledged Hange as she continued, sparing the pleasantries of the unexpected visit, "We have a grief situation in our hands and questions begging to be answered. You might the only person who could assist."
The flaxen-haired young chef nodded nervously as he guided the soldiers through the hallway of the decorated premise. As the group trudged along the halls, their boots a silent patter against the mahogany floor drapery, the rustic and wood theme brought about a solemn feeling inside the younger female soldier of the unit.
Mikasa, having brought along her formal military overcoat from the Hizuru transporter, quickly draped on the uniform for the guise and her safety, after persisting to Kiyomi that she would not require any security details in her own homeland. She made sure that Mitsunari was secured tightly within her overcoat, concealed from public eyes but close enough when it is needed.
As the small unit walked together along the hallway, she took a long, deep breath. She could still hear the faint sounds of Sasha's merry laughter echoing against the walls as she tricked Connie or Jean with one of her incessant jokes.
Her eyes, once again, met with Jean's dark brown irises. He quickly looked away towards their Commander who was conversing with Niccolo in a strained and stressful manner.
Jean was now visibly upset when he was worried before.
Even more so after hearing her explanation of her short disappearance. She believed that she owed both Jean and Armin a personal apology and a thorough breakdown of everything.
Everything and that includes the identity of the man whose family name she carried now.
Even if that fact would hurt them even more than they already did.
Mikasa closed her eyes in raw frustration. She was doing the exact same thing Eren did. Hurting those who loved her by keeping them away from the truth.
"Armin, can we talk afterward? There's something else I wasn't able to tell you earlier and I don't want to keep any more secrets from you since Eren isn't here. Only you would understand why."
Armin nodded in understanding. He now knew the major sacrifice his childhood friend had to make for a peaceful future and he wouldn't let anyone disrespect Mikasa's decision in any way.
As they were led to an empty dining hall, Niccolo excused himself but not before chastising Jean and Connie playfully for even thinking of sipping a drop of the wine shipped from Marley, only accessible by the higher-ups within the military. Hange noticed the young chef's suspicious gesture but quickly dismissed it away as he disappeared behind the large double doors.
"Mikasa…" Armin called out as he stood next to the tall young woman, who was fidgeting with the crimson scarf around her neck. "Are you alright?"
She lowered her voice as she turned her face towards the blonde-haired holder of the Colossal Titan. "I need to tell you about the man that the Marley government sent to Hizuru."
To be her husband.
Armin's sky blue eyes glinted with a mix of both curiosity and understanding. "The fact that he's been chosen by the governing body in Marley surely is affecting you, isn't it?"
"Armin, I hope you don't think lesser of me with the decision that I've made. No one forced my hands. Miss Kiyomi gave me an option and I took it. There's so much more at stake."
"The girl that I grew up with, who also helped raised me, wouldn't be doing something that her heart does not believe in. I know you so well, Mikasa." Armin's lips lifted in a calm smile, sending its merry warmth within to fill the void inside the heir of the Hizuru empire. "Hope is a strong power and I have a very good feeling that your new husband would take great care of you. At this point, if we can achieve peace without any more unnecessary war or fighting, I would take that chance. As difficult it was for us to hear of it, it must have definitely been a lot harder for you then and now. I could only admire you for your bravery. Trust me when I told you that you would always have my support."
Her right hand grasped frustratingly against the blood-red fabric around her neck. "Armin, you'd think differently if you know who he is."
"I know he is an Eldian from the very same place we attacked ten days ago. Everyone has their story and differences, Mikasa. The fact that he still respected your decisions to come here and relay the message of potential peace we could achieve through all of this could only mean he wants a better future for our people."
"But Armin, he doesn't even know that I'm here and there's also another thing you need to know. He's-"
Her words were cut short upon hearing a sudden, unexpected noise through the covered, thin walls. The eatery's other patrons must've been on the other side of the hallway; either it was because of too much wine or someone out there decided they want to become a jerk on that day.
The sound of tiny screams and a thud caused both of them to rise up in unease as their gazes were drawn to the interconnecting door.
The sound of scuffling continued and a concern that some young children might be in trouble, drove Mikasa forward to throw open the door with Armin following closely behind.
They were all unprepared to see the view that greeted them. In the middle of the dining hall was Niccolo, with a body of a bleeding, unconscious young boy in his arms and was waving a knife at another girl, who he obviously had shoved down to the wooden floor.
"What are you doing, Niccolo?!" Armin remained calm yet agitation was evident in the tone of his voice.
Mikasa chimed in. "They are just kids." She quickly walked over to the young girl, who was now sprawled on the floor, bearing cuts and bruises of her own. Courtesy of the chef obviously. She gently held both ends of the little girl's shoulders and asked, "Are you alright?"
Frantic, Niccolo's voice took a higher pitch as he tried to defend his actions. "Don't be fooled by this kids. They are trained killers and soldiers. That girl is the one who killed Sasha! Mr. Blouse, you should do the honor in killing her".
Mikasa looked down at the girl in her hold. Only then she realized that this was Gabi, Reiner's cousin. Apparently, when they both escaped their detainment, they were headed straight to the village where Sasha's family is now residing.
"Mr. Niccolo, please give me the knife." Sasha's father beckoned for the young chef to pass him the knife. "If anything, it was my fault that Sasha died. I sent her out of the forest to venture and see what's out there. I let her out into the world. She joined the military for a reason and that reason was also the one that caused her death. If anything, I was responsible for my own daughter's decision even when she was gunned down in enemy territory. So no, killing her killer would not solve things. We should all stop this vicious cycle."
Mr. Blouse's wife, Sasha's mother, pleaded, "Mr. Niccolo. Please let Ben go. We need to clean his wounds."
Jean and Connie approached and apprehended Niccolo, whose figure was already slumped in defeat.
"I'm sorry….I'm so sorry….," whispered Niccolo, weakly. 'Sasha, what have I done?'
"MURDERER! To think that I thought of you as a friend!" A voice screamed loud out of nowhere. Sasha's adopted sister, Kaya lunged towards the kneeling Gabi, brandishing a dagger, hellbent in getting revenge for Sasha's death.
Mikasa pulled the back of Gabi's head inwards, the little girl's head nestled against the crook of her own neck. Gabi's forehead touched the coarse, yet warm scarf around her neck. Mikasa's free hand successfully halted the blade in reflex, saving not one, but two lives at the same time.
Gabi, from losing her life to an enemy, the same way an enemy loses her life in her hands.
And Kaya, from going down an irredeemable route of vengeance.
Sasha wouldn't want either of them dead or living with hatred and down a dark path of no return.
Wordlessly, Mikasa gripped Kaya's smaller, fragile wrist - the one holding the blade and indirectly immobilizing the young girl with her strength. Kaya felt the immense force holding her back and saw the sad disapproval on Big sister's best friend, Miss Ackerman's face.
Big sister would not want her to kill her murderer.
Big sister taught her about compassion and selflessness.
And Kaya was being selfish right now.
Big sister would be hurt right now.
The silence inside the dining hall was so deafening, the tension so intense that it surrounded all its occupants with an instant solemn atmosphere.
Upon seeing Kaya's figure slowly loosening and her hand finally releasing the dagger in its grip, Mikasa called out to her. "Kaya…."
The young girl gathered the remaining courage inside and dared herself to look up at Miss Ackerman's sharp glare.
However, instead of disapproval, Kaya found an unexpected glimpse of something that was not out of emptiness.
Only forgiveness.
"Sasha saved you so you would have a brighter future. She fought hard so you would have a peaceful life."
Connie supported her words. Regardless of how he felt about Mikasa recently, he couldn't hold himself back from reinforcing the truth. "She fought so you kids don't have to."
Niccolo's hand shook as he tried helplessly to wipe away the nervous sweat draining down the side of his head. "It's too late….."
"What are you saying? What was in that wine?," questioned Hange, as both her and Jean approached the unconscious young boy lying on the floor.
"Probably Zeke's spinal fluid…," drawled Niccolo aimlessly and he continued to tell the horror story of how Marley successfully took down a whole enemy nation in only one night by using Zeke's spinal fluid.
"Fuck!" Connie could be heard swearing from behind. The last thing that he and everyone inside that room would ever want, was another occurrence of the Ragako village incident from five years ago.
Gabi, upon realizing what Niccolo really meant, lifted her head up in worry. Falco…..
Her eyes met the taller lady's own round, gunmetal irises. She remembered that this was the female soldier who had successfully immobilized the Warhammer Titan back in Liberio.
One of the two remaining members of the legendary Ackerman family.
One half of the last pair descended from the now-extinct clan.
All the Titan shifters whispered horror stories about the Ackermans, including her cousin, Reiner and their War Chief, Zeke.
Gabi looked up in both fear and worry. "Are you really not going to kill me?"
The Ackerman lady shook her head as a response and instead, pulled the younger girl up to stand and guided her to the conjoining room.
Meanwhile, Mikasa took in an even deeper breath. Initially, she wasn't sure where she should begin in tracking down Reiner's missing cousin but as it turned out, Izanagi had heard her silent prayers.
There must be a reason why.
The night before, she was ready to slit her new husband's throat upon knowing that his own cousin was the one who killed her very best friend.
However, right now, she could only feel sympathy towards the young children. They were just simply misguided pawns in this meaningless war. They were victims of circumstances. They had no choice but to fight for survival.
Just like they did in Paradis the day humanity fell.
This was one of the reasons why it was important for the alliance to be established and fortified.
For innocent children to be protected, for their future to be ensured so they would not have to fight wars they were not supposed to.
So they could continue being the children they are.
She could only hope that her sacrifice would make a difference regardless.
-o-O-o-
Without any prompting, both Jean and Connie stepped forward to apprehend the emotionally unstable young cook. It was obvious to everyone that Niccolo was having a severe mental breakdown and they need to step in before more people become entangled in the mess.
Hange signaled for Niccolo to be tied up and placed under Mr. Blouse's watchful gaze until he regained his senses while she quickly ushered Jean to assist her in lifting the unconscious young boy into the large basin in the bathroom. She could only hope they would be able to clean off any remaining droplets of wine containing Zeke's spinal fluid off the kid's form. She made quick work in rinsing Ben's mouth with clean water from the pipes before cleaning the wound on his head.
Hange could only hope they were not too late.
As she and Jean made quick work of discarding Ben's shirt and pants, they submerged him in the basin filled with water and glycerin soap. The Commander used a clean washcloth to scrub away on the Marleyan boy's skin, in hope that with each stroke of the fabric, they would be able to reduce the risk of Ben absorbing Zeke's spinal fluid into his system.
"Hang in there kid," whispered Jean underneath his breath.
Hange's visible eye looked up at his junior Squad Leader.
"We'll do our best, Jean."
"I just want this fight to be over. So no more people would be forced to make sacrifices."
She was not oblivious to the restrained anger that Jean was holding back. She had a feeling that it had something to do with the news that was revealed by the only other remaining female soldier in their unit.
Jean took it hard. More than anyone else.
"Everyone has to make difficult decisions, Jean. With hopes and goals towards a bigger purpose to all of this."
"I just don't understand why Mikasa would be willing to surrender herself to the Marley government and be chained to a man she barely knew for the rest of her life? She deserves more than to be some clan's human factory!"
"She knows full well what her sacrifice would achieve in all of this."
Jean grabbed the washcloth in his hand much harder than he was supposed to. "Commander, I was planning to ask her to marry me when all of this is over!" His hands shook in a fit of restrained anger as he looked away in shame for letting his emotions got the best of him.
Even Connie and the ever silent member of the group, Onyankopon, were taken aback with his best friend's proclamation. Jean, upon realizing his blunder, began to stammer. "She's the reason that keeps me going every day in this miserable world. She was the light at the end of this dark tunnel for me but now….."
Hange sent a sympathetic look to Jean's way right before her visible eye met with Onyankopon's in mutual understanding. "I am very sorry, Jean. I did not know."
Jean continued scrubbing the young kid's back, trying his best to divert his attention away from the person who had invaded his mind even more than usual recently. All four of them continued to help cleaning the unconscious kid inside the steel basin, while Mr. Braus helped to keep an eye on the restrained Niccolo. Probably trying to make Niccolo realized that by not acknowledging their grief for Sasha's passing openly might have caused them to make questionable judgments.
Meanwhile, in the other room, the young woman who was the subject referred to by the occupants on the other side of the wall could be seen sitting at a round dining table, with Gabi to her left and Armin to her opposite. At that point, there was no animosity between them even when they were now gazing directly at the face of Sasha's killer.
"Why did you save me?," asked the little girl towards the taller young woman.
Mikasa held back the truth hesitantly. "No reason in particular. Are you alright, Gabi?" She asked in return, her eyes looking into the kid's darker ones.
"How did you know my name?," Gabi questioned back. There was no way anyone here would know. Unless Zeke the traitor blabbed to the military here about their real names.
Even Armin gave her an inquisitive look, his eyes searching for the same answer as Gabi did.
Mikasa held herself back from offering the real explanation. She has never lied and she won't be starting today yet it would be too soon after what went down only a while ago.
So instead, she diverted her response, "I will see to it that you and the boy will be returned to Marley very soon."
"Are you not mad at me? I killed your close friend. I beat a guard unconscious with a rock but not that boy Falco. I want you to take him, prisoner. I deserved to be killed. Killing me should be enough right?"
Mikasa bit the insides of her lower lips, a sorrowful feeling deep in her chest.
The similarities between the little girl and her older cousin are very uncanny.
Does suicidal tendencies run in their family?
She shook her head slowly, the weary feeling inside her heart grew heavier by the hour.
It all began ever since the moment she realized who she was binding her life to.
She replied to the girl's question. "If we keep on drawing our weapons against each other, when will it ever end?"
Armin sighed. "Will you stop saying kill, kill, kill? You're starting to sound like someone we know."
Mikasa averted her gaze to the Colossal Titan holder.
Come to think of it, seeing and talking to the girl actually reminded both of them of how much her personality resembled the missing member from their trio.
The one who walked away without any explanation.
The sound of the door opening the moment Armin was finishing his sentence took everyone by surprise.
Speak of the devil…..
It was as if the Universe would never be done in messing around with their heads, minds, and hearts.
The person who walked through the door was none other than….
Eren motherfucking Jeager.
"Ere…." Mikasa stopped herself.
Their longtime friend lifted his hand in a casual greeting but the chilling, empty, look in his eyes and the long, bleeding cut on his palm that he purposely put on blatant display, caused an alarming dread inside them.
It was finally time for them to talk.
It was not too long when the sound of someone knocking could be heard from the other side of the door, saying, "It's time to move."
Armin was very quick to recognize the owner of the voice. "Was that Floch's voice? Did you come here with him?"
"Yeah…..," answered Eren unhurriedly, despite the urgency that came from Eren's lead follower.
Only when Eren Jeager finally took a sit on one of the chairs around the table, Gabi finally realized the true face of the monster terrorizing not only her people back in Marley but even to the people here on the island. Before, he seemed to be a frail, helpless person when now he seemed to have taken a more, terrifying, authoritative appearance.
The so-called king of the demons in this island.
The real enemy of humanity.
She looked as the blood seeping through the open wound on his palm began pooling on the surface of the table. It was an open threat to everyone. He will shift and kill everyone in the process in the event where his words were not complied to.
Eren continued his words. "I wanted to talk to you both in a much quiet setting, unlike the prison cell. We can settle Eldia's problems without any conflict."
Mikasa's eyes lit up. How could she let Eren know that there is also another way?
"Hange and the others will be fine. We are just moving them somewhere else."
Armin interjected, "There's something you're not telling us, Eren. What was the real reason that made you decide on your own to attack Marley? If Zeke and Yelena have really gotten you on their side. You were holding back the truth when we were at your cell and now is your chance to come clean to us."
Unbeknownst to both of them, all while the conversation was taking place, their Commander and the rest of their units were held at gunpoint by the Jeagerists and being ushered into one of the four carriages waiting outside the building.
"I am free." Simple was his answer and stern that he has never been. As if there was no need for him to explain, to prove, to justify his previous and current actions.
They could only give Eren a blank stare in return, puzzled by his vague response while he rambled on about whatever decision he made was out of his own free will.
Armin pressed him again. "You met with Yelena in secret the night of the railway opening, didn't you? Has this all been your free will?"
"That's right."
Mikasa shook her head and argued. "No. You're being controlled, Eren. You're not the kind of person who would involve innocent civilians and children, even if they live in an enemy state. You've cared for and thought about us more than anyone. Haven't you?" She drew in a long breath as her body shivered in helplessness. Her hand desperately moved to grasp at the crimson fabric around her neck. "You're lying, aren't you, Eren? You saved me from being kidnapped and wrapped this scarf around me out of your kindness, right?."
"I said keep your hands on the table. I don't need you to spout more nonsense like the day you came to see me when I was still rotting inside that cell. Did you do something that you weren't supposed to do when you were away, Mikasa?" The Titan shifter dismissed her words heartlessly and threatened her small action, causing her to mechanically moved her shaking hand away from the fabric. Her face reddened due to the sudden aggravation, beads of tears began to pool within her lids when her hands landed flat against the table in defeat. He couldn't possibly know, could he?
Eren continued, "I hid in Liberio and spoke with Zeke, brother to brother. I learned a lot from him. He knows more than Marley ever did." Eren's emerald green eyes looked at Gabi as she let out a small gasp and return to Armin's direction. "You're still going by and seeing Annie, aren't you? Is that out of your own will or is it Bertolt's?"
Eren proceeded to provoke Armin, the one with the most gentle soul Mikasa had ever known. Claiming how Armin was influenced by Bertolt's memories and feelings towards Annie, a former comrade, who turned out to be the Female Titan holder. The moment Armin's pure Titan form consumed the previous Colossal Titan shifter, Eren asserted that Armin had become weaker mentally instead, only wanting to resolve their century-old war with only 'talking' unlike Eren's way of execution.
Beats of cold sweat began to appear on Armin's face as Eren's question went straight for the figurative kill. "Wh-....." He stuttered, unavailable to offer a logical answer, which only served to further support Eren's ensuing claim that Armin was in fact, influenced by Bertolt's memories.
"You weren't soft like this before. Your judgment was always able to lead us to the answer. But every time you open your mouth now, it's only "Let's talk".....you're utterly useless."
"Eren, what are you trying to do?" Mikasa was befuddled with Eren's sudden taunting towards their close friend. He used to be the one who defended Armin from the local bullies when they were younger but now, it seemed to be quite the opposite.
Eren shrugged. "I'm just saying. There's nothing further removed from freedom than ignorance." He averted his gaze to the young woman on the opposite side of the table. "I learned about the Ackermans there, too. The reason why you're so strong, Mikasa."
"Turns out the Marley scholars had attempted to fiddle with the science of the Titans and in their ignorance, had accidentally created the Ackerman clan, who maintained human form but in some cases could manifest the power of the Titans. Still, the Ackerman clan was designed to protect the King and as a result, the instinct in their blood will activate once they recognized someone as a host. In other words, you only cling to me purely because of your blood's instinct."
Eren pressed further and further. His words felt no different than the onslaught of multiple blades on her skin at the same time. "You obeyed my order at that moment when you were facing death. Apparently, when all of those conditions are met, the instincts hidden inside the Ackerman clan's blood will be awaken. Not only did this heightened your physical capabilities to an extreme, but you were also even given the experience in battle accumulated by every past Ackerman by way of the paths. All because you happened by chance to trick yourself into believing I was the host you had to protect."
Her shoulders trembled upon hearing his words. Her gaze hidden underneath her fringe, she opposed his words and braced herself to disagree.
"You're wrong."
"Oh, am I? How?" He questioned back, the sarcasm in his tone did not escape her observation.
She looked up, hopeful. "It wasn't by chance. I was able to become strong because of you. It was all because of you."
He wasn't done stomping on her dreams. "Apparently, once an Ackerman awakens, they often find themselves suffering from sudden headaches. They say this happens when your true self tried to resist from protecting your host and working against it. Sounds familiar?"
A fleeting memory embedded deep inside her memories had made itself known again - the distorted version of the night they met for the very first time.
"No." Mikasa persisted.
"What I'm trying to say is, the real Mikasa disappeared in that hut ten years ago. Leaving you behind, who's ever faithful to your Ackerman instincts.
"No-I…"
"A clan who lost their true selves, only created to follow orders. In other words, slaves."
Armin grunted, disliking the direction of Eren's spiteful conversation. "Stop it, Eren."
He paid no mind to Armin's warning. "Do you know what I hate the most in this world? Those who live like mindless cattle. Not having free will. Only doing what their blood tells them to do."
Armin snapped. "Eren!"
Eren was burning with imminent hatred at that point. He wasn't going to stop. "Just looking at them made me so angry. Now, I finally understand why. I couldn't stand to look at an undoubting slave who only ever followed orders."
It was poetic how the more blood that he sheds, the more tears she would cry for him in response.
This was absolutely not the Eren she remembered.
Gabi saw the way Ms. Ackerman's fingers trembled against the surface of the table. Eren Jeager saw them too.
"Ever since I was a kid…....." Eren's words trailed, provoking the beating of Mikasa's heart to escalate into an erratic beating inside her already aching chest.
"Mikasa, I've always hated you."
The tears she had been holding back for the past years when it comes to Eren had finally escaped, as her mental barrier collapsed into dusty particles that she would never be able to reassemble again. She choked helplessly as her voice croaked inside her throat, unable to comprehend the hurt she was feeling inside her chest.
Armin jumped up from his seat, holding his fist high and ready to strike. He screamed as he stood up and lunged towards the Founding Titan's holder. "EREEEEN!! How dare you!"
Yet, a hand landed on his left shoulder, halting his advance. Within a quick second, his face landed against the surface of the table with a loud bang. His sunny brown eyes lost its light upon seeing who had stopped his action.
It was none other than the very person he was defending.
"...Mikasa?"
She released her iron grip against her childhood friend's figure upon the sudden realization of what she had done. "I'm so sorry, Armin. I didn't mean to-" She apologized helplessly, not knowing the reason why her body acted out of her own accord. It was as if she subconsciously perceived Armin as a threat to Eren, proving the latter right.
Eren huffed upon observing her reflexive action. "See? All you've ever done is living according to what your Ackerman blood tells you to do. That's all you are. Nothing more than a tool to be used. You're nothing without me, aren't you?."
"N-no….," She begged and she cried, but it was only perceived sideways by the person that mattered the most to her in a blank, heartless stare.
Armin took the quick opening and successfully landed a punch against the Attack Titan holder's face and Eren did not flinch, even a single bit as he saw Armin's approaching fist. The embers from a pre-shift glowed around Armin's closed hand as his knuckle connected with Eren's jaw, the force pushing the latter's body backward from his sitting position.
It didn't take long for Eren to reflexively countered Armin's melee attack with not one, but multiple punches in retaliation. He successfully forced the other Titan shifter's defensive form backward against a rack, filled with liquor bottles from the restaurant, destroying it in the process from the impact.
"Mr. Jeager!" Two of Eren's loyal followers barged through the door, fearing for their leader's safety.
Eren dismissed their concerns right before he continued taunting his childhood friend. "It's fine. So, Armin, we've never fought before huh?" He was openly mocking his weaker counterpart. "Know why that is?"
"Damn-" Armin's retaliation was halted by a strike of Eren's fist, followed by several more and right as Eren kneed Armin in his guts, Eren verbally jabbed him again. "It's cause there's no way you could even put up a fight against me."
Mikasa's tears ran down her stunned face as she struggled to breathe when both of her childhood friends were assaulting each other. "Just stop...Don't…," came her weak, helpless plea. Once again, even with her given strength, she wasn't able to save, let alone stopping both of her close friends - no, family, from hurting each other.
Enough….. please.
She walked quickly to Armin's beaten figure on the floor, helping him to regain his senses.
Armin gritted his teeth before spitting out blood that was already pooling inside his mouth.
That bastard knew he would never ever shift in this building.
"As I've said, if only you'd tell me where Zeke is, there is no reason for us to fight. So just come with us. Take them away. The brat who killed Sasha too." Eren directed his followers to restrain Armin, Mikasa, and even Gabi.
With blood trickling down his lips, Armin retorted, "And what is it you even wanted to say? Is that the freedom you wanted? The freedom to hurt Mikasa? Then, who's the real slave to a piece of shit now?"
His words received a deathly glare from the unstable Titan shifter in return, evident from the shift of expression on his cold, empty face. "Who are you calling a slave?"
Gabi, already immobilized with confusion and fear after witnessing the unexpected brawl, found herself shivering when the devil himself called out for her name, as she saw Ms. Ackerman helped her friend - the Colossal Titan holder, up from where he landed.
"We are heading back to Shinganshina. Where everything started. We would finally end everything there."
That was what Reiner said too before this…
Mikasa wondered why would she even remembered what the other Titan shifter's past words had been.
'I wished I had never met you that night, Eren….' With her given strength, Mikasa couldn't even fight back against the foreign hands that forced her to stand but she made sure that she held the younger girl's hand tightly in hers.
The truth in Eren's earlier words hurt her to the core but if the instinct in her blood was indeed to protect, then maybe that was the real reason why she saved the young girl earlier.
After all, wasn't it in her nature to protect those who are important to her?
Mikasa prayed to Izanagi for the strength to keep Reiner's cousin from any harm especially if such actions would come from Eren. As much as she is yet to acknowledge Reiner as her husband, it will not change the fact that they are now bound together in holy matrimony.
Mikasa looked down at Gabi, who reminded the former so much of her younger self.
Gabi is now family and Mikasa would do all in her willpower, or what's left of it, to keep her family safe.